Quick answer: Windows has no single key combination that signs you out. Win + L only locks the PC. The quickest keyboard routes are Ctrl + Alt + Delete and then Sign out, or Win + X, then U, then I. If you want a true one-press shortcut, create a desktop shortcut to shutdown /l and give it a key combination in its Properties. Save your work first: signing out closes every open app.
In this guide
The fastest keyboard ways to sign out
| Keys | What happens | Works on |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then Sign out | Opens the security screen; choose Sign out with the arrow keys or mouse | Windows 11 and 10 |
| Win + X, U, I | Opens the Quick Link menu, then Shut down or sign out and Sign out | Windows 11 and 10 (English layout letters) |
| Win + D, then Alt + F4 | Shows the desktop, then opens the Shut Down Windows box; pick Sign out and press Enter | Windows 11 and 10 |
| Win, then your account picture | Start menu account menu; select Sign out | Windows 11 and 10 |
Microsoft’s keyboard shortcut list describes Ctrl + Alt + Delete as switching to the screen where you can lock, switch user, sign out, change a password or open Task Manager, and Alt + F4 as a shutdown prompt when no windows are open. That’s why you press Win + D first; otherwise Alt + F4 just closes the window in front.
The Win + X letters are menu accelerators, so they can differ in other display languages. Watch for the underlined letter in the menu if U doesn’t work.
Make a one-press sign-out shortcut
- Right-click an empty part of the desktop and choose New > Shortcut.
- For the location, type
shutdown /land select Next. - Name it Sign out and select Finish.
- Right-click the new shortcut, choose Properties, click in the Shortcut key box and press a letter. Windows turns it into Ctrl + Alt + your letter, for example Ctrl + Alt + S.
- Select OK. Optionally, use Change Icon on the same tab to pick a clearer icon.
This shortcut signs you out immediately, with no confirmation, so pick a combination you won’t press by accident. Shortcut keys on desktop shortcuts work only while the shortcut stays on the desktop or in the Start menu folders. You can also right-click it and pin it to Start.
Sign out from Command Prompt or Run
Press Win + R or open Command Prompt and run either of these:
shutdown /l
logoffMicrosoft’s reference says shutdown /l “signs out the current user immediately with no time-out period” and can’t be combined with other switches. logoff with no session name does the same for your current session. Neither command asks you to save files, so close your documents first. To shut down or restart on a timer instead, see how to schedule a shutdown.
Sign out, lock or switch user?
| Option | What it does | Your open apps |
|---|---|---|
| Sign out | Ends your session so the account is no longer active on the PC | Closed; unsaved work may be lost |
| Lock (Win + L) | Secures the PC while you step away | Stay open in the background |
| Switch user | Lets another account sign in without ending yours | Stay open in your session |
Those definitions come from Microsoft’s account access page. “Log off” is the older name for signing out; Windows now says Sign out everywhere except in a few commands. If you want Windows to sign you in automatically afterwards, see how to skip the login screen, and to see who signed in and when, see how to check the last login.
If Sign out is missing
On some work or school PCs, an administrator hides sign-out options with policy, and the shortcut or command may be the only route. On a shared PC, Task Manager’s Users tab offers Disconnect and Sign off; Disconnect keeps the session running, so only Sign off actually ends it. If Windows is installing updates and you only want to power off, see how to shut down without updating.
Related guides
- How to schedule an automatic shutdown in Windows 11 and 10
- How to shut down without updating in Windows 11 and 10
- Windows 10 disable login screen: sign in automatically
- How to check last login in Windows 11 and 10 (4 ways)
Official sources:
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